heed

5 synonyms and 2 antonyms for heed, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To pay close attention to advice or a warning and take it seriously.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

mind listen regard

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

attentiveness paying attention

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To pay close attention to advice or a warning and take it seriously.

“You should heed your doctor's advice and rest for a few days.”

mind listen regard attentiveness paying attention

Opposites

ignore disregard

2. noun

Careful attention paid to something.

“Pay heed to the safety instructions before you start the machine.”

attentiveness regard

How to use heed

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

heed a warning pay heed to heed advice

Slightly formal or old-fashioned — "listen to" or "pay attention to" are more everyday alternatives.

Etymology

From Old English hēdan, meaning "to take care of" or "guard" — related to old Germanic words for watching over and protecting something.

Full origin of heed →

Frequently asked questions

What does “heed” mean?

The word “heed” means to pay close attention to advice or a warning and take it seriously. In plain terms, to take notice of a warning or piece of advice and actually act on it.

How do you pronounce “heed”?

“Heed” is pronounced HEED (/ˈhiːd/ in IPA).

How do you use “heed” in a sentence?

Here is “heed” used in a sentence: “You should heed your doctor's advice and rest for a few days.”

What part of speech is “heed”?

Depending on how it is used, “heed” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “heed” come from?

The word “heed” comes from Old English. From Old English hēdan, meaning "to take care of" or "guard" — related to old Germanic words for watching over and protecting something.

Is “heed” a common word?

“Heed” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “heed” have?

“Heed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to pay close attention to advice or a warning and take it seriously.

People also searched

mind listen regard ignore disregard attentiveness

Nearby words

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